New Delhi, July 20: With the Monsoon Session of Parliament set to begin on Monday, uncertainty surrounds climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's proposed march to Parliament and his indefinite hunger strike, as Delhi Police has denied granting permission for the march and tightened security across the national capital.
A massive gathering reportedly swelled around the Jantar Mantar protest site on Sunday evening, with thousands of supporters assembling despite heavy police deployment. Eyewitnesses said the crowd continued to grow as police repeatedly announced over loudspeakers that the protest site should be vacated.
Speaking to the media, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, said he would end his hunger strike only if senior political leaders met him at Safdarjung Hospital and assured him that the issue of education accountability and reforms would be taken up in Parliament during the ongoing session.
"However, if that accountability is not secured through Parliament, he will continue his fast. Even after remaining in hospital for two days, he has not broken his hunger strike," she said.
Meanwhile, DCP New Delhi Sachin Sharma clarified that Delhi Police had not received any application seeking permission for a march to Parliament and had not granted permission to any organisation.
He said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are in force throughout the New Delhi district. Under these restrictions, gatherings of five or more persons, protest marches and demonstrations are prohibited, except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar with prior permission.
The officer said extensive security arrangements have been made in view of the commencement of the Parliament session and warned that anyone violating the prohibitory orders would face legal action.
The proposed march has also reignited debate over the constitutional guarantee under Article 19(1)(b), which grants every citizen the fundamental right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order and security.
As dawn breaks on Monday, all eyes are on whether protesters will attempt to march towards Parliament despite the restrictions, whether police will prevent the mobilisation, and whether political intervention can end Wangchuk's prolonged hunger strike. The developments are expected to test the balance between the right to peaceful protest and security measures imposed in the national capital during the Parliament session.
